Are the Party Platforms changed at the two “formation” meetings cited above?
– No, Party platforms are only changed at Campaign Conventions (County or State) which occur at different times of an election year than the business meetings. This is because members of the public are invited to participate, as voters, in Campaign Conventions. Business meetings of the Party are only attended by PCO’s; other members of the public may not vote at Party business meetings. The content of the Platforms is shaped by the Platform committee members appointed by Party Officers – to have greater influence on Platform content it is important to elect Officers who will support your policy agenda – only PCO’s can elect Party Officers. It is not effective to wait for the Campaign Conventions to begin to change the Party Platform. Working to get advance placement on the Platform committees is the best way to begin changing any Platform.
